Homes uninsured after broker office destroyed

Homeowners who thought their homes and contents were insured have found they may not be because their insurance broker's office was destroyed in a storm.

Root of the problem: The freak weather left clients with no shelter from the storm.

The ironic turn of events was revealed when the Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued a warning that customers that had bought home and contents, building or motor insurance from broker Jeffery Flanders (Consulting) Limited may not be covered.

The premises of Jeffery Flanders (Consulting) Limited in Billingshurst, West Sussex were damaged in a storm and crucial financial records have been destroyed.

The FSA urged customers of the firm to contact their insurers directly, as well as the FSA. One customer who did so discovered they did not hold the policy they originally believed they did.

The FSA have been unable to contact the firm recently and the phoneline for the office is not working.

The FSA statement said: 'The FSA has been advised by Jeffery Flanders (Consulting) Limited that due to storm damage the firm has lost all relevant financial records.
'We have also received information that a current customer has become aware, when making a recent claim, that they did not have the insurance cover they believed to have been arranged by Jeffery Flanders (Consulting) Limited.

'Jeffery Flanders (Consulting) Limited was, until recently, operating from The Old Barn, Loxwood, Billingshurst, West Sussex. The office telephone number is no longer in service.'

Anyone concerned they will be affected can email the FSA at sean.byrne@fsa.gov.uk or anna.hynes@fsa.gov.uk, or can telephone 020 7066 7898 or 020 7066 9464. Advice is also available on the FSA 'Moneymadeclear' helpline on 0300 500 5000.